Kurdistan is a historic, geographic, and cultural region in the Middle-East wherein the Kurdish people are the majority. Kurdistan is not an independent country, but there are two autonomous Kurdish regions in Northern Iraq and Syria. However, most of Kurdistan is located in the East- and South-Eastern Turkey and North-Western Iran. Especially these parts are of great historic importance; not just to the Kurds, but to the entire world; Kurdistan is ground-zero of history.

This video is about some of the most important cities and sites in North-Kurdistan. Not all cities and historic sites are represented; that would be impossible. But this is, by far, the most comprehensive introduction to “Bakur” currently available. In time, Kurdish Heritage will publish Part II and Part III, featuring the cities and historic sites of East, South, and West-Kurdistan (Rojhilat, Basur and Rojava).

The Turkish state has plans to deliberately destroy some of the ancient sites featured in this video, such as Heskif (Hasankeyf). It will be submerged in 2018.

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– To the oldest human-made structure (Gobekli Tepe) in the world, pre-dating the Great Pyramids of Egypt by 7,000 years. When Gobekli Tepe was created in what is today known as Kurdistan, the Roman Empire was still 11,000 years away. Not just the Romans, but even the Babylonians are closer to us than the builders of Gobekli Tepe!

– The oldest melody known to mankind; Kurds are the most musical nation in the Middle-East. 70% of so-called “Turkish” folksongs are actually translated Kurdish folksongs. Kurdish maestros like Shahram Nazeri and the Kamkars have not only influenced traditional Kurdish music, but even classical Persian music. Not bad for a nation that has been oppressed and marginalised for centuries.

– Alcohol; oldest evidence for wine-making was found near Haji Firuz Tepe, an archaeological site in East-Kurdistan.

– The Prophet Abraham was born in Kurdistan; he is the namesake of the Abrahamic Religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).

– The Black Rose; only found in the Kurdish town of Xalfeti in North-Kurdistan.

“Kurdish Heritage” focuses on creating awareness for Kurdistan’s rich cultural and historic heritage. “Kurdistan” is a roughly defined geo-cultural region wherein the Kurdish people form a dominant majority. This region is located in what is known as the “Cradle of Civilisation”; a region where agriculture was first practiced, temples to Gods were first erected, and organised urban communities were first founded.

The word “Kurd” traces its origin back to the Gutian Dynasty of Akkad, which makes it one of the oldest known words in the world. Besides Kurds, other nations, such as the Assyrians and Armenians, have a long history in these lands as well.

Kurdistan is not only ethnically diverse, but is also home to a great variety of religions. The Kurds themselves are religiously very diverse; even though most are muslim, there are millions of Kurds who practice other religions. Such as Yezidism, Yarsanism, Alevism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and Christendom. The prophet Abraham is believed to have been born in Urfa, a Kurdish city in North-Kurdistan*. Urfa, or Riha, was known as “Edessa” in ancient times. Göbekli Tepe, the oldest known human-made structure, is located 12 kilometers north-east of Urfa. This archaeological site was discovered by a Kurdish shepherd in the early 1960’s. This huge religious complex was built 7,000 years (!) before the Great Pyramid of Giza.

This was just a short, general introduction into what Kurdistan has to offer. Kurdistan is a very unknown region to the world, even though it is where humanity first organised itself. Our aim is to change that, despite the many expected obstacles we will face on our journey.

From east of great Kurdistan from Ilam to all i send my regards to all of my sisters and brothers from Dersim and Afrin until Urme and Ilam. I send a special regard to Kirkuk and feyli kurds from Dyala. To my ezydi sisters and brothers.We fight for freedom.Long life #Kurdistan.

I'm yezidi born and raised in republic of Georgia but my roots go to bakuri Kurdistan. We kurds live in different countries, speak different languages, have many religions and different traditions but we all are brothers